20 Lessons I’ve Learned by (almost) 20

You can’t make people love you. And as hard as that is to accept at times, it is not a reflection of you.

Stop apologizing for things that don’t require an apology. Your life is not dependent on other people’s happiness. It is dependent on your own.

Pursue your passions, not your back up plans.

Invest in the people who invest in you. Flaky/inconsistent/downrightbad friendships are cancelled in 2018.

That being said, find your #GirlGang that will support you, love you, and will consistently be loyal to you. These people will become your backbone.

Never stop learning, reading, educating yourself, etc. Whether it is through traditional schooling methods or taking a more unorthodox approach, knowledge is one of the only things that cannot be taken away from you. Education=Power!

The Green Passion Power smoothie from Panera can (and will!) cure the worst of hangovers.

Heartbreak sucks, but it does not suck enough to give up on love. Love, for lack of better words, is beautiful, chaotic, and always worth it.

Quality over quantity applies to almost everything in life.

Learn how to say no to people. Learn how to not feel guilty about it either.

Dance parties with your friends or by yourself will always make you feel a little (or a lot) better. *Cue Shake it Off by Taylor Swift*

Stick up for yourself. ESPECIALLY for all my ladies out there! Do not allow people to walk over you, belittle you, or take advantage of you. Every human being is worthy of respect.

Be nice to people. Just because the world lacks compassion and empathy, does not mean you need to as well.

“Your vibe attracts your tribe.” You get out of the world what you put into the world. Simple as THAT.

Learn to be happy for your friends’ success. Although it can be easy to view life as a competition, success is self defined and everyone will experience it at different times. Let’s celebrate all the #girlbosses out there!

Work hard. Whether it is at school, your job, or in your personal life people will notice. And it will set you apart.

Never burn a bridge. Build a new one without tearing an existing one down.

Spend time hanging out with your parents and siblings. Tell them you love them. They are some of the best friends you will ever have. Mom, if you are reading this, just know you are the realest.

Always get your hair wet at the pool. Life is too short to care that much about your hair.

Alas, the most important lesson: experience life. Embrace the heartbreak, the laughter, the joy, the sadness, and everything in between. Life is too precious to spend it in the passenger seat.